Frozen fruit juice dispenser



March 11, 1958 A. B. FONDA ,FROZEN FRUIT JUICE DISPENSER Filed Sept. 22, 1953 Inventor: Al-len E5. Fonda,

His Atto'r'neg.

United States PatentO 2,826,471 FROZEN FRUIT JUICE DISPENSER Allen B. Fonda, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application September 22, 1953, Serial No. 381,722

1 Claim. (Cl. 312-36) My invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to means for supporting cylindrical articles, such as frozen juice cans, within such apparatus.

Among the items commonly stored in the freezing chambers, of household refrigerating apparatus are cans of frozen fruit juice. These cylindrical cans, just like the rest of the stored foods, are ordinarily supported on the standard horizontal shelving arrangements provided in the freezing chambers. This method of support is, however, not particularily satisfactory for cylindrical cans, because they must be stacked either in atriangular pile or vertically atop each other in order to make maximum utilization of the shelf space available. Such stacks are not desirable for a number of reasons. First of all, depending upon the type of stacks either the top most or the furthest forward can must always be removed first. This means that the last can in is usually the first out, and may very well lead to deterioration of the juice in the older cans. Secondly, in order to remove any items which might be stored behind these stacks, it is necessary either to reach around the stacks or else the stacks themselves must be moved. Either method is, of course, an awkward process. Thus, from the point of view of easy access both to the older cans and to the other items stored on the shelves, the storing of cylindrical cans on horizontal shelves has proved quite unsatisfactory. Moreover, to store these articles on the horizontal shelves takes space which may be better used for irregularly shaped foods such as meats, vegetables, or bottled articles.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a new and improved meansfor storing cylindrical cans within, household refrigerating apparatus.

A more specif c object of myinvention is to provide a cylindrical can supporting and dispensing means which may be advantageously mounted on the doors of house hold refrigerating apparatus.

Another object of myinvention is to provide a juice can dispenser for household refrigerating apparatus, which holds the cans in such relationship that the oldest can is always removed first.

In carrying my invention into effect I employ refriger ating apparatus having a low temperature compartment to which access is secured through a vertically pivoted door; and on the inner'side of this door I mount my newand improved cylindrical can dispensing means. This means comprises a dispensing type receptacle formed of a pair of channel-shaped members mounted on the door in a parallel, horizontally spaced relationship. Each of these members includes a shallow channel and these channels face each other to'form a centrally exposed chute, i. e. a chute in which there is a gap in both the front and rear walls. At the base of the channel membersrigid shelf means are provided which block the lower end of the chute; and adjacent these shelf means an access opening is provided permitting removal of the cylindrical cans one at a time. Cans placed in the top of the chute move in sequence toward the shelf at the bottom thereof so that the lowermost can is also the oldest one, which,.of

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course, means that the oldest can will always be removed first. The exposed center portion of the chute allows refrigerated air to circulate around the cans throughout their movement down the chute and thus insures that they are kept below the freezing temperature.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. My invention itself, however, both to its organization and method of operation may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a two compartment household refrigerator in which are included my new and improved juice can dispensing means;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of my new and improved cylindrical can. dispensing means;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the freezer door of the refrigerator taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing a preferred cushioning means optionally included in my dispensing means.

Referring now to the diagram, I have shown therein a two door refrigerator 1 as illustrative of the various types of household refrigerating apparatus to which my invention may be adapted. My invention .is, however, not limited to two door refrigerators although it will probably be most commonly used with such units. The illustrated refrigerator 1 includes a low temperature or freezing compartment 2 to which access is had through a door 3, the door 3 being mounted on vertical pivots 4 and 5 to turn about the vertical axis. As is customary in refrigerator construction, the door is comprised of an outer wall 6 and an inner liner 7 separated by proper insulation (not shown), and carries a gasket 8 which effectively isolates chamber 2 from the atmosphere when the door is closed.

In carrying out my invention in its preferred form I utilize this door to mount my new and improved cylindrical can dispensing means; and for that purpose inner liner 7 may be provided, if desired, with a large recess 9 centrally positioned in the door. The recess 9 is of value for it serves as a space wherein the cylindrical [articles may be supported without taking up any appreciable amount of space within compartment 2 even when door 3 is closed. Although this recess is not essential to the use of my novel cylindrical article supporting and dispensing means, nevertheless through its use, a maximum efii'ciency may be made of the refrigerated space within freezing compartment 2.

The novel means whereby I support or store cylindrical articles on door 3 comprise the dispensing receptacles 10 which are positioned in a spaced row along the center of recess 9. These receptacles 10 are all similar in construction and are here shown as all adapted to receive the same size cylindrical articles or cans. However, in many applications it may be desirable to provide several different sizes of receptacles in order that various sizes of cans may be accommodated.

As may best be seen in Fig. 2, each of the dispensing receptacles 10 is constructed of a pair of channel-shaped members 11 and 12. Each of these members includes a base wall and a pair of side walls which cooperate to form a vertically extending channel. Thus, member 11 includes a channel 13 defined by base wall 14 and end walls 15 and 16, and member 12 includes a channel 17 defined by base wall 18 and side walls 19 and 20; The channels 13 and 17 face or open toward each other so that they together form an open top, vertically extending chute 21. Since, however, members 11 and 12 are spaced somewhat from each other, an open space or gap exists both between front side walls 16 and 20 and between back side walls 15 and 19. In other words chute 21 is centrally exposed both in the front and in the rear adjacent liner 7. Both the front and the rear gaps are provided for a very definite purpose, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The channel members themselves may be formed of metal or suitable plastic material, as for example polystyrene.

In order to block off the lower end of chute 21 each of the channel-shaped members is provided with a rigid laterally extending shelf portion. Specifically, member 11 is provided with the shelf or end wall 22 while member 12 includes the shelf or end wall 23. As best shown with regard to member 12, each of the horizontal shelves is provided with a recess into which a resilient, preferably rubber, cushioning member is inserted. Thus, shelf 23 includes a depression 24 in which is fitted a cushioning member 25. A tongue and groove connec tion 26 at the forward end of cushion 25 and an overhanging lip construction 27 at its rear end serve to hold the cushion firmly in place. Similar means are, of course, employed to hold the cushion member 28 on shelf 22 of member 11. Each of the cushioning members 25 and 28 has a downwardly curved or concave upper surface so that together they form a trough whose bottom lies somewhat lower than the forward edge of shelves 22 and 23. This declivity prevents any can resting on the shelves from rolling off the forward ends thereof.

To allow access to the shelves for the removal of any can lying thereon, corresponding access openings are provided in the front side walls and base walls of the channel members. Specifically, member 11 is provided with an aperture 29 and member 12 with an aperture 30. The front wall portions of apertures 29 and 30 are of sufficient height to permit a can to readily pass therethrough. The base wall or side portions of the apertures are deep enough to allow the housewife to grasp the forward end of the can in order to pull it out of the trough formed by the cushioning members.

Any suitable attaching means may be used to secure channel members if and 3.2 to the freezing compartment door, one preferred method being shown in Fig. 3. This preferred method comprises a pair of pins formed integrally on the rear side wall of each channel member. These pins are passed through apertures provided in the liner 7 and then are clamped on the other side as to attach the channel members firmly to the lining. Thus, taking channel member 12 as an example, the same structure being used for channel ll, the pins 31 and 32 formed integrally on rear side wall 19 are passed respectively through apertures 33 and 34 provided on the inner liner and are secured firmly in place by means of the clamps and 36. In the illustrated structure, the rear side wall 19 of member 12 is offset along its lower portion from the rear edge of base wall 18. Therefore, the lower pin 32 is somewhat longer than the upper pin 31, and in order to strengthen the lower pin a plurality of tapered protuberances 37 are provided thereon. The corresponding pin 38 on member 11 is provided with similar tapered protuherances. Rear wall 19 could, of course, be made flush with the rear edge of wall 18 for its entire length merely by making the wall 19 of greater width, but this, of course, would require more material than does the illustrated offset structure.

Again taking member 12 as typical of both channel members, both side walls 19 and 20 are inclined outwardly with respect to the vertical liner 7. The lower portion 39 of wall 19 opposite aperture 30 does, however, extend more or less vertically, and immediately above aperture 30, wall 20 is provided with a curved portion 463 which terminates in an inwardly projecting trailing edge 41. This curved portion with its inwardly extending lower edge tends to cam or direct any article passing it inwardly toward vertical wall portion 39 so that the article will fall into the trough formed by cushion members 25 and 28. In other words, the chute and shelf contours are such that the second lowest can is always guided onto the shelf and held thereon as the bottom can is removed. Due to the aforesaid camming action and the shelf trough it is practically impossible for the second lowest can to fall out when the bottom can is pulled from the dispenser.

As may be seen in Fig. 3, the distance between the front and rear walls of chute 21 is slightly greater than the diameter of the cans to be accommodated. This causes the cans 42 to be staggered slightly from one another in the stack with each successive one touching an opposite wall. The result of this is that each can 42 shifts from one wall to another as it moves downwardly upon the removal of the lowest can, which shifting tends to retard its fall and puts less strain on the shelf members 22 and 23. The rubber cushions 25 and 28, of course, tend to reduce both noise and shock on the channel members as succeeding cans move to the lowest position in chute 21.

As mentioned above, the chute 21 is centrally exposed, i. e. it includes longitudinal front and rear gaps, throughout its entire length. This construction allows the rer frigerated air within chamber 2 to pass over and around the cans throughout their entire movement down the chute. No matter what position a can is occupying within the chute, it may be reached by the refrigerated air. Moreover, the center opening in the front allows a view of the labels of the cans. Thus, if for example lemon juice and orange juice cans were both stored in the freezing chamber, the housewife will be able to make sure that she is obtaining a can of the desired juice.

The open spaces by allowing a relatively free air circulation to the cans while they are in the chute insure that sufiicient heat will be removed therefrom to keep the cans at the desired temperature. Additionally, the offsetting of the rear surfaces 15 and 19 of the chute from the liner 7 throughout the greater part of their length also tends to keep the cans at the desired temperature. This offsetting greatly reduces heat conduction between the liner and the cans over what it would be if the rear walls of the chute were flush against the liner. Summing up, through my invention I have provided a juice can storage and dispensing means which insures that the oldest can will always be used first. Because of its mounting on the door, this dispensing means utilizes very little of the primary storage space of the refrigerating apparatus. In fact, if a door recess is provided, practically none of the main space is used. The apertures at the bottom of the dispensing chute permit ready access for the removal of the bottom can, but due to the trough in the cushioning means, there is very little tendency for the bottom can to be thrown out when the door is slammed. This is particularly true since the upper cans exert a force tending to keep the bottom can within the trough. Moreover, the contour of the chute itself is such that the second lowest can in the chute is guided or cammed directly into the trough as the bottom can is removed, rather than being allowed to fall out after the bottom can. And, as mentioned above, the over-all configuration of the dispensing means allows a cooling air circulation to reach the cans no matter what their position in the chute.

Now, in accordance with the patent statutes, I have described what at present is considered the preferred embodiment of my invention. However, it should be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from my invention, and I therefore, aim in the appended claim to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

' What -I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

assay/1 A dispensing type receptacle for use with refrigerating apparatus having a low temperature compartment and a door providing access to said compartment; said receptacle being adapted to support cylindrical articles in stacked relation on said door and comprising a pair of channel members each having a base wall and a pair of side walls forming a vertically extending channel and having an end wall blocking the lower end of said channel, with one of said side walls and said base wall being provided adjacent said end wall with an aperture opening into said channel; and means firmly securing said members to said door in a parallel, horizontally spaced relationship with the channels facing each other, whereby said channels form a centrally exposed chute for accommodating said articles, with said apertures serving as a discharge opening at the bottom of said chute and with the exposed center section permitting air circulation around said articles, the side walls of said members adjacent said door being inclined outwardly therefrom for at least a portion of their length thereby to reduce 'heat conduction from said door to said articles, and said side walls of said members being spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of said articles to cause said articles to be staggered within said chute with each successive article touching an opposite wall theneof, whereby upon moving downward said articles shift from wall to wall and the fall thereof is retarded.

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